Steering apparatus for outboard motors

ABSTRACT

A steering handle assembly for an outboard motor includes a tiller handle having an outer throttle grip with a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;kill&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; switch mounted within the end of the grip. A tubular housing is secured at the inner end to a rotating elbow support to place the tiller in a raised transport position and an extended steering position. A throttle shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and fixed to the housing. The throttle shaft projects from the opposite end of the housing with an outer enlarged switch receptacle. A tubular twist grip is secured to the shaft with an inwardly projecting portion clamped between the housing and the receptacle. A throttle cable drum is secured to the inner end of the shaft with throttle cables oppositely wrapped around the drum and extended outwardly from the mounting shaft to a throttle control. Leads are threaded through the elbow and the throttle shaft to a contact support secured to the outer end of the shaft and within the twist grip. A pair of spaced pyramidal terminals are connected respectively one each to each of the leads. A conical bridging contact is mounted within a boot actuator secured in the open end of the twist grip such that axially pushing inwardly moves the bridging contact into engagement with the terminals. The leads may be connected to ground an alternator output and prevent operation of a capacitor ignition system.

United States Patent [191 Meyer Dec.2,1975

[ 1 STEERING APPARATUS FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS [75] Inventor: James A.Meyer, Oshkosh, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 501,498

[52] US. Cl. 115/18 R; 74/480 B; 74/506; 123/198 DC [51] Int. Cl. ..B63H21/26; GOSG ll/OO;

GOSG 1/08; F02B 77/00 [58] Field of Search 115/17, 18; 74/480 B, 506,74/504; 123/198 DC; 254/150 R Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix AssistantExaminer-Sherman D. Basinger Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Andrus, Sceales,Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A steering handle assembly for an outboardmotor includes a tiller handle having an outer throttle grip with akill" switch mounted within the end of the grip. A tubular housing issecured at the inner end to a rotating elbow support to place the tillerin a raised transport position and an extended steering position. Athrottle shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and fixed to thehousing. The throttle shaft projects from the opposite end of thehousing with an outer enlarged switch receptacle. A tubular twist gripis secured to the shaft with an inwardly projecting portion clampedbetween the housing and the receptacle. A throttle cable drum is securedto the inner end of the shaft with throttle cables oppositely wrappedaround the drum and extended outwardly from the mounting shaft to athrottle control. Leads are threaded through the elbow and the throttleshaft to a contact support secured to the outer end of the shaft andwithin the twist grip. A pair of spaced pyramidal terminals areconnected respectively one each to each of the leads. A conical bridgingcontact is mounted within a boot actuator secured in the open end of thetwist grip such that axially pushing inwardly moves the bridging contactinto engagement with the terminals. The leads may be connected to groundan alternator output and prevent operation of a capacitor ignitionsystem.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 1of23,922,996

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 Of2 $922,996

STEERING APPARATUS FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a steering apparatus for outboard motorsand particularly a tiller handle type steering apparatus.

Outboard motors are mounted to the transom of a boat by a swivel bracketassembly to permit pivoting of the outboard motor about a verticalsteering axis. The lower horsepower outboard motors generally employ asteering handle assembly connected directly to the outboard motor formanual rotation of the outboard for steering purposes. A suitablefriction co-pilot assembly may be provided to hold the motor in'anyselected angularly oriented position. conventionally, the steeringhandle assembly is a tiller handle pivotally coupled to the engine andprovided with an outermost twist grip. An internal mechanicallinkageconnects thr grip to a throttle control mechanism. This permits aconvenient steering and acceleration control by hand grip controlassembly. In small outboard motors and the like, a kill switch isconventionally mounted as a part of the upper power head assembly topermitconvenient rapid stopping of the engine. In tiller handle system,the operator may not be conveniently located to engage the kill switchbecause of steering requirements and attention.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed to asteering handle assembly for outboard motors and particularly to animproved steering handle assembly having an interconnected kill switchmeans directly mounted within the twist grip portion of a tiller handleand connected into the circuit to terminate motor operation through thesteering handle assembly. The handle further includes a simplemechanical assembly with an inner throttle control member which isrotatably mounted and coupled to the throttle control cables for enginethrottle control. The present invention has been found to providereliable steering control assembly for convenient steering and operatingcontrol of the outboard motor.

In accordance with a particularly novel construction of the presentinvention, the steering assembly includes a supporting tubular housingsecured at the inner end to a rotating elbow support for convenientpositioning of the assembly between a raised compact transport positionand downwardly rotated and outward extended position for convenientsteering. A throttle'shaft is rotatably mounted within supporting tubeand releasably coupled thereto at the inner end. The outer end of thethrottle shaft projects from the tubular housing.

A twist grip is secured to the outer end of the shaft and in particularis formed of a rubber-like material with an inward projection meansclamped between the outermost end of the housing and an enlargedshoulder portion on the outer end of the throttle shaft. The inner endof the shaft is provided with a cable drum having a pair of grooveportions for individually receiving a pair of throttle control cables.The cables respectively wrap around the drum with one cable being woundon the drum simultaneously with the unwinding of the other cable tothereby permit the extension of the outer ends of the cables which areconnected to the opposite ends of a pivotal support throttle member forpivoting and positioning thereof to thereby control the engines speed.

In accordance with a particularly unique feature of this invention,interlock leads are threaded through the elbow and through the throttleshaft. A contact support is secured to the outer end of the shaft withan openended twist grip and includes a pair of spaced terminalsconnected respectively one each to each of the leads. The terminals arelocated facing outwardly of the open end of the twist grip.

A kill bridging contact is coupled to a push button actuator secured inthe open end of the twist grip. The actuator preferably includes arubber-like push button boot having an annular wall secured within thegrip and an outer flexible base wall. The contact is secured to the basewall in overlying, outwardly spaced relation to the terminals. Theoperator can merely push inwardly on the push button actuator to movethe bridging contact into engagement with the terminals with theconnection of the two leads disabling the electrical systern.

Thus, in a preferred construction, the outboard motor employs acapacitor discharge ignition system driven from an alternator or similarpower supply. The kill switch is conveniently connected between theoutput of the alternator and ground to directly ground the stator outputand thereby positively preventing supplying power to the ignitionsystem.

The kill terminals are preferably similar pyramidshaped contacts withthe apex located outwardly. The bridging contact is generally afrusto-conically shaped contact adapted to telescope downwardly over theterminals with the inward movement tending to deflect the side walls ofthe cone-shaped contact outwardly to thereby rapidly establish goodelectrical sliding engagement between the bridging contact and theterminals.

The present invention has been found to provide a mechanically reliablesteering handle assembly permitting the convenient control of thethrottle and engine operation by the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS which The drawings furnished herewithillustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in whic theabove advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as otherswhich will be readily understood from the following description of theillustrated embodiment.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an outboard motor incorporating asteering handle assembly constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the steering handle assemblywith parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the details ofconstruction;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of FIGS;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic illustration of a capacitor dischargeignition system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing andparticularly to FIG. 1, an outboard motor 1 is secured to the transom ofa boat 2. The outboard motor 1 generally includes an upper powerhead 3within which an internal combustion engine 4 is located. The powerhead 3is secured to the upper end of a drive shaft housing 5. A swivel bracketassembly 6 is attached to the boat transom 2 and coupled to the upperend of the drive shaft housing 5 immediately beneath the powerhead 3.The swivel bracket assembly 6 includes a suitable encircling pivotsupport assembly 7 to pivotally support the outboard motor 1 forrotation about a vertical axis. The pivot support assembly 7 may be ofany suitable construction and is preferably constructed in accordancewith the applicants co-pending application entitled Steering Apparatusfor Small Outboard Motors filed Aug. 29, 1974, bearing Ser. No. 501,486and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. As morefully disclosed therein, the assembly 7 includes a steering bracket unit8 coupled to the outboard drive shaft housing 5 through a suitablevibration isolation means which provides for pivoting of the driveshafthousing 5 and interconnected motor components about the axis of thehousing. A steering arm 9 extends laterally outwardly from bracket unit8 beneath the powerhead 3. A tiller or steering handle assembly 10 ispviotally secured to arm 9 for selective positioning in an uprightposition for storage and alternately to a downwardly and outwardlyextended position for steering. Thus, with the handle assembly 10projecting outwardly, the operator can readily grasp the outer endthereof and by turning in a horizontal plane,-pivot the motor 1 forsteering purposes.

The present invention is particularly directed to the steering handleassembly 10 construction. Consequently, no further description of theouter outboard motor components is given other than as required to fullydescribe the illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

Generally, the steering handle assembly 10 includes a tubular housing 11pivotally secured by a 90 pivot elbow 12 to the arm 9. The elbow 12includes a tubular shaft portion or leg 13 projecting through a hub 14on the outermost end of the arm 9. The outer end of leg 13 is threaded.Suitable bearing washers 15 are located on the leg 13 to the oppositesides of the hub 14 and a clamping nut 16 is threaded onto the outerthreaded end of the leg 13 to pivotally clamp the elbow 12 to the arm 9.The opposite leg of the elbow is split longitudinally and includes abase 17 and a removable, outer cap 18 which is releasably secured to thebase by suitable cap screws 18a.

The housing 11 is clamped within the leg 17-18 of the elbow 12 with adowl pin 19 projecting from the elbow into the tube 11 to positivelyhold the housing 1 1 from axial or rotational movement. Housing 11 thusprovides a protective housing extending outwardly from the elbow 12 andterminating at the outer end in supporting relation within a twist grip20.

Generally, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a throttleshaft 21 projects completely through the housing 11 and is coupled atthe outer end to grip 20. A throttle control unit 22 is coupled to theinnermost end of the shaft 21 and is positioned in accordance with theturning of grip 20. The control unit 22 includes a pair of push-pullcables 23 and 24 which extend outwardly through leg 13 for connection toan engine throttle control of the motor. In the present invention, aswitch assembly 25 is housed within the outer end of the shaft 21 andthe twist grip 20. Leads 26 extend downwardly through the shaft 21 fromthe switch assembly or unit 25 and exit therefrom through the elbow 12and particular leg with cables 23 and 24 for connection into theelectrical system of the outboard motor, as hereinafter described.

More particularly, the outer end of shaft 21 has an enlarged outerswitch receptacle 27 spaced from the outer end of housing 11 and with anouter diameter generally similar to or slightly larger than the outerdiameter of the housing 11. The spacing of receptacle 27 from housing 11defines a-gap 28 for the twist grip 20. The grip 20 is a suitable moldedrubber or the like which includes an inner annular clamping projection29 located within the gap 28. Further, the outer surface of receptacle27 is provided with a knurled outer surface to firmly interconnect thetwist grip 20 to the shaft 21 as at 30.

The inner end of the shaft 21 projects through the split leg of theelbow l3 and is secured therein by a small clip ring 31. With the cap 18attached to the base 17, the shaft 21 is firmly locked to the elbow 12including the twist grip 20 with the projection 29 rotatably clampedbetween the housing 1 1 and the receptacle 27.

The molded grip 20 extends over the outer end of the housing 11 which isslightly reduced to form a supporting bearing surface extendingthroughout essentially one-half the length of the grip 20 to provide afirm, reliable rotating support of the grip and the interconnected outerend of the shaft 21. Rotation of the twist grip 20 is transmitted by theshaft 21 to the throttle control unit 22.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the throttle controlunit 22 includes a drum 32 press fitted or otherwise fixed to theinnermost end of the shaft 21 within the split leg of elbow 12. The drum32 rotates normal to the shaft axis and is provided with a pair ofoppositely extended grooves 33 and 34 to receive and accommodate thethrottle control wire or cables 23 and 24 which are oppositely wrappedabout the drum. As viewed in FIG. 3, wire 23 is wrapped in a clockwisedirection partially about the drum within the groove 33. The end of thewire 23 is provided with an interlock enlargement or ball 35 which fitsin an enlarged recess 36 in the inner end face 37 of the drum 32.

The wire or cable 24 is wrapped in the opposite or counterclockwisedirection partially about the opposite side of the drum and in theaxially spaced groove 34. Cable 24 terminates in a similar enlargedcoupling ball 38 located within a recess 39 extending inwardly from thesame inner face of the drum as recess 36. The diameter of the drum 32closely approximates the inner diameter of the split leg of the elbow tosecurely retain the wires within the grooves. The inner recessed face 37of the drum is located immediately adjacent an inner wall 40 of theelbow 12 to securely lock the coupling balls in place. The rotation ofthe handle shaft 21 and the interconnected drum 32 results in thepulling inwardly of the one cable while simultaneously causing theopposite cable to move outwardly through the elbow leg 13. The cablesform part of the well known push-pull type cable units having an outerflexible sheath 41. As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2, the outer endsof wires 23 and 24 are connected to a speed control or throttle lever 42such as more fully disclosed in the application of James H. F rahmentitled Throttle and Ignition Advance Linkage for an InternalCombustion Engine bearing Ser. No. 501,656, filed on Aug. 29, 1974 andassigned to the same assignee as the present application. Generally,lever 42 is centrally pivoted as at 43 and the wires 23 and 24 areconnected respectively to the opposite ends. The pulling of one cableassociated with a first rotation of drum 32 causes rotation of the lever42 in a first direction, while an opposite rotation of the drum 32releases the latter cable. The opposite cable pulls on the opposite endof the lever with a resulting opposite rotation. As any suitablethrottle lever control can be adapted to the pivotal control by thecables, no further description thereof is given.

In small, manually started outboard motors, the special switch unit 25is desirably connected to rapidly terminate motor operation, whendesired. In accordance with the present invention, the switch unit 25 isconnected by the leads 26 to selectively terminate motor operation. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the invention, the switch unti 25 includesan insulating terminal block 44 which projects into the housing oropening defined by receptacle 27 on the outermost end of the shaft 21.The terminal block 44 supports a pair of laterally spaced terminals 45and 46 connected respectively one each to the individual wires 26 whichare crossed as at 47 within the innermost portion of the receptacle 27.The twist grip extends outwardly beyond the terminal block 44 and theterminals 45 and 46 and defines a housing within which a push buttonoperator 48 is secured. A bridging contact 49 is secured to the innerface of the push button operator 48 in spaced overlying relation to theterminals. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the pushbutton operator 48 is a rubber-like member having a tubular mountingportion 50 adapted to be telescoped into the end of the twist grip 20with a resilient clamping force. The innermost end of portion 50includes a groove accommodating an encircling flange 51 of the terminalblock 44. The outer end wall of the operator is an integrally formedboot 52 attached to portion 50 by a relatively thin flexible andresilient connection 53. The bridging contact 49-includes a mountingstem 54 secured within the center of the boot 52.

The illustrated terminals 45 and 46 are generally pyramid-shaped withthe outermost surfaces providing similar inclined contact surfaces. Thebridging contact 49 is a generally frusto-conically shaped member havinga narrow base secured to the stem 54 and opening downwardly andoutwardly in overlying relation to the terminals 45 and 46. Depressingthe boot 52 forces the contact 49 to move down over the terminals 45 and46 with the inclined walls establishing firm sliding engagement and goodelectrical contact. The inward movement thus directly connects theterminals 45 and 46 to each other to complete the circuit between thetwo leads 26.

The leads 26, as previously noted, extend downwardly through the shaftand rotate therewith, with the inner ends projecting outwardly from atwist chamber 55 formed within the elbow 12. As the shaft 21 rotatesthrough a limited number of degrees such as 180, the leads 24 may rotatetherewith, winding and unwinding within the chamber 55.

The leads 26 extend outwardly through the shaft portion or leg 13 withthe cables 23 and 24 and into the outboard motor, where the leads areconnected into the ignition system to provide suitable termination ofoperation upon depressing of the push bottom operator 48.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, the outboard motor may convenientlybe provided with a capacitor discharge ignition 56, shown in blockdiagram, and coupled to an alternator 57 for charging of a capacitor 58.The alternator 57 is conveniently formed with a rotor connected to theflywheel and a fixed stator assembly, not shown. A trigger coil unit 59may also be provided as a part of the alternator to generate time spacedsignals for actuating a switch means which discharges the capacitor andthereby fires the engine. In such a system, the leads 26 mayconveniently be connected between the charging stator terminal 60 andground 61. Depressing of the switch button shorts the output of thealternator directly to ground and positively prevents charging of thecapacitor and thereby positively prevents operation firing of theengine.

The illustrated switches may, of course, be connected for other purposesand may be constructed as normally closed. For example, the engine mayemploy a magnito ignition system with the throttle grip switch operableto stop the engine. Further, a normally closed switch may be connectedin the engine ignition system to stop the engine when actuated to theopen position or state.

The present invention thus provides a reliable, rugged twist grip tillerhandle having switch control means conveniently available for operationby the motor operator.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. A steering handle assembly for outboard motors, comprising an angledtubular mounting means having offset leg portions joined by a commonportion, one of said leg portions including a bearing means forrotatable mounting thereof, a tubular shaft means adapted to berotatively mounted in the second of the offset leg portions of themounting means, a throttle control having a throttle positioning meansextended through said first offset leg portion and a coupler affixed tothe inner end of said tubular shaft within said tubular mounting means,an'outer handle grip portion secured to the shaft portion, a switchmeans located within said handle grip portion,'leads extended throughsaid tubular shaft and the first and second leg portions of the mountingmeans for connection to said motor, an operator in said grip portion foroperation of said switch means.

2. The steering handle assembly of claim 1 including an outer fixedhousing secured to the mounting means with the shaft means extendingtherethrough, said grip telescoped over the outer end of the housing,and said switch means located outwardly of the housing within the outerend of the grip portion, said operator being located in outer end of thegrip portion.

3. The steering handle assembly of claim 2 wherein said mounting meansis a split tubular member clamped about said housing, a stop member insaid mounting means engaging said housing to prevent rotation thereof,said split tubular member projecting from said housing and enclosingsaid tubular shaft portion, and axial stop means on said tubular memberengaging said shaft portion inwardly of said throttle control couplerand rotatably mounting the shaft portion and to prevent axial movementof the shaft means.

4. The steering handle assembly of claim 1 wherein handle grip portionhas a tubular outer end, said switch unit including a pair of laterallyspaced terminals mounted within said outer end, said leads includingfirst and second flexible conductors secured to said terminals andextended as a twisted cable pair through said tubular means, saidoperator being secured with the outer end in outwardly spaced relationto the terminals and including a bridging contact overlying saidterminals and resiliently supported for inward movement into engagementwith said terminals.

5. The steering handle apparatus of claim 4 wherein said terminals aregeneral pyramidal in shape, and said bridging contact is invertedconically shaped members, said terminals and contact having generallycorrespondingly inclined walls.

6. The steering handle apparatus of claim 5 including a rubber-like bootsecured within the grip and having said bridging contact secured to thecenter thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throttle coupler includes arotating drum affixed to the inner end of said shaft within said commonportion and with said leads passing therethrough, said drum having apair of oppositely wound grooves on the periphery of the drum andaligned with the first of the leg portions, a first throttle controlcable wound in a first direction about the drum and extended outwardlythrough the first leg portion, a second cable secured to the drumadjacent said first cable and wound in the opposite direction about saiddrum and extended outwardly through the first leg portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in the combination with a capacitordischarge ignition system, an input terminal to said capacitor dischargeignition system adapted to be connected to the output of an alternator,said leads being connected to said input terminal and to ground meanswhereby actuation of 'said operator grounds the output of the alternatorand thereby prevents charging of the capacitor discharge ignition systemto positively prevent engine operation.

9. A steering handle assembly for outboard motors having a steeringbracket with a coupling hub comprising an elbow-shaped mounting memberhaving a tubular bearing leg adapted to be rotatively mounted within thehub of the steering bracket, said member having an offset tubularcoupling leg affixed to said bearing leg, a tubular housing immovablysecured to said coupling leg an extending outwardly therefrom, a tubularshaft extending through said housing and rotatably affixed within saidcoupling leg, a throttle coupler within said mounting member and affixedto the inner end of said tubular shaft and rotating therewith, saidtubular shaft extending outwardly from the outer end of said housing, atwist grip having an inner end portion telescoped over the end of thehousing and projecting co-axially outwardly therefrom past the outer endof the shaft to define an end switch chamber, means securing the grip tosaid shaft, a switch unit having terminal means mounted upon the outerend of said shaft within said chamber, an actuator secured in overlying,sealing relationship to the outermost end of said twist grip, saidactuator being biased to an outward position and resiliently depressableto actuate said switch unit, a pair of flexible leads connected to saidswitch unit and extending downwardly through said grip and tubular shaftand exiting from the innermost end of such shaft, said leads being bentwithin the mounting member and extending outwardly through the tubularportion for selective connection to the outboard motor electricalsystem.

10. The handle assembly of claim 9 wherein said throttle unit includes arotating drum affixed to the inner end of said shaft, said drum having apair of oppositely wound grooves on the periphery of the drum, a firstthrottle control cable wound in a first direction about the drum, asecond cable secured to the drum adjacent said first cable and wound inthe opposite direction about said drum, said cables projecting outwardlythrough said bearing leg of the mounting member for connection to thethrottle control of the outboard motor.

11. The handle assembly of claim 9 in the combination with a capacitordischarge ignition system, an input terminal to said capacitor dischargeignition system adapted to be connected to the output of an alternator,said leads being connected to said input terminal and to ground meanswhereby actuation of said actuator grounds the output of the alternatorand thereby prevents charging of the capacitor discharge ignition systemto positively prevent engine operation.

12. A steering handle assembly for outboard motors having a steeringbracket with a coupling hub comprising a mounting member having atubular portion adapted to be rotatively mounted within the hub of thesteering bracket, said member having an offset coupling leg, a tubularhousing immovably secured to said leg and extending outwardly therefrom,a tubular shaft extending through said housing and rotatably affixedwithin said coupling leg, a throttle coupler affixed to the inner end ofsaid tubular shaft and rotating therewith, said tubular shaft extendingoutwardly from the outer end of said housing, a twist grip having aninner end portion telescoped over the end of the housing and projectingco-axially outwardly therefrom past the outer end of the shaft to definean end switch chamber, means securing the grip to said shaft, a switchunit mounted within said chamber, an actuator secured in overlying,sealing relationship to the outermost end of said twist grip, saidactuator being biased to an outward position and resiliently depressableto actuate said switch unit, leads connected to such switch unit andextending downwardly through said grip and tubular shaft and exitingfrom the innermost end of such shaft and extending outwardly through thetubular portion for selective connection to the outboard motor system,said shaft having an outer end enlarged receptacle spaced from the endof said housing, said grip having an annular projection located betweenthe housing and said receptacle, said twist grip being axially retainedon said housing by said shaft for rotation with said shaft, said gripprojecting outwardly of said receptacle and defining said switchchamber.

13. A steering handle assembly for outboard motors having a steeringbracket with a coupling hub comprising a mounting member having atubular portion adapted to be rotatively mounted within the hub of thesteering bracket, said member having an offset coupling leg, a tubularhousing immovably secured to said leg and extending outwardly therefrom,a tubular shaft extending through said housing and rotatably affixedwithin said coupling leg, a throttle coupler affixed to the inner end ofsaid tubular shaft and rotating therewith, said tubular shaft extendingoutwardly from the outer end of said housing, a twist grip having aninner end portion telescoped over the end of the housing and projectingco-axially outwardly therefrom past the outer end of the shaft to definean end switch chamber, means securing the grip to said shaft, a switchunit mounted within said chamber, an actuator secured in overlying,sealing relationship to the outermost end of said twist grip, saidactuator being biased to an outward position and resiliently depressableto actuate said switch unit, leads connected to such switch unit andextending downwardly through said grip and tubular shaft and exitingfrom the innermost end of such shaft and extending outwardly through thetubular portion for selective connection to the outboard motor system,said switch unit includes an insulating block mounted within the switchchamber and the outer end of said tubular shaft, a pair of laterallyspaced terminals secured to said block, said switch actuator including arubber boot member overlying the end of said twist grip, a bridgingcontact secured to the inner surface of the boot and movable intobridging engagement with said terminals to establish an electricalconnection between said switch leads.

14. The steering handle assembly of claim 13 wherein said terminals arepyramidal in shape and laterally spaced to define a generally conicalcross-section, and said bridging contact is a conically shaped cupelement having side wall with an angle corresponding to that defined bythe terminals.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE C'HFICAT OF CGRRECTION fPATENT NO. 1 3,922,996 Page 1 of 2 DATED 3 DECEMBER 2, 1975 INVENTORG):JAMES A9 MEYER it is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Pat t are hereby correctedas shown below:

Column 1, Line 61, before "one" insert th Column 2, Line 40, after"DRAWINGS" cancel "which"; Column 2, Line 42, after "in" cancel "whic"and insert which Column 3, Line 34, before "outboard" cancel "outer" andinsert other Column 6, Line 45, after "shaft" insert means CLAIM 1Column 6, Line 47, after "shaft" cancel "portion" and CLAIM 1 insertmeans Column 6, Line H 49, after "shaft" insert means CLAIM 1 Column 6,Line 65, after "shaft" cancel "portion" and CLAIM 3 insert means Column7, Line 1, after "shaft" cancel "portion" and CLAIM 3 insert meansColumn 7, Line 24, after "shaft" insert means CLAIM 7 O UNITED STATESPATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE QE'HHCATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO- 13,922,996 r Page 2 of 2 DATED DECEMBER 2, 1975 VENT0R S 1 JAMES A. MEYERIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, Line 67, after "shaft" cancel "portion" CLAIM 3 and insertmeans Signed and Sealed this A nest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmissr'mwr uflatenlxand Trademarks

1. A steering handle assembly for outboard motors, comprising an angledtubular mounting means having offset leg portions joined by a commonportion, one of said leg portions including a bearing means forrotatable mounting thereof, a tubular shaft means adapted to berotatively mounted in the second of the offset leg portions of themounting means, a throttle control having a throttle positioning meansextended through said first offset leg portion and a coupler affixed tothe inner end of said tubular shaft within said tubular mounting means,an outer handle grip portion secured to the shaft portion, a switchmeans located within said handle grip portion, leads extended throughsaid tubular shaft and the first and second leg portions of the mountingmeans for connection to said motor, an operator in said grip portion foroperation of said switch means.
 2. The steering handle assembly of claim1 including an outer fixed housing secured to the mounting means withthe shaft means extending therethrough, said grip telescoped over theouter end of the housing, and said switch means located outwardly of thehousing within the outer end of the grip portion, said operator beinglocated in outer end of the grip portion.
 3. The steering handleassembly of claim 2 wherein said mounting means is a split tubularmember clamped about said housing, a stop member in said mounting meansengaging said housing to prevent rotation thereof, said split tubularmember projecting from said housing and enclosing said tubular shaftportion, and axial stop means on said tubular member engaging said shaftportion inwardly of said throttle control coupler and rotatably mountingthe shaft portion and to prevent axial movement of the shaft means. 4.The steering handle assembly of claim 1 wherein handle grip portion hasa tubular outer end, said switch unit including a pair of laterallyspaced terminals mounted within said outer end, said leads includingfirst and second flexible conductors secured to said terminals andextended as a twisted cable pair through said tubular means, saidoperator being secured with the outer end in outwardly spaced relationto the terminals and including a bridging contact overlying saidterminals and resiliently supported for inward movement into engagementwith said terminals.
 5. The steering handle apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid terminals are general pyramidal in shape, and said bridging contactis inverted conically shaped members, said terminals and contact havinggenerally correspondingly inclined walls.
 6. The steering handleapparatus of claim 5 including a rubber-like boot secured within thegrip and having said bridging contact secured to the center thereof. 7.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throttle coupler includes arotating drum affixed to the inner end of said shaft within said commonportion and with said leads passing therethrough, said drum having apair of oppositely wound grooves on the periphery of the drum andaligned with the first of the leg portions, a first throttle controlcable wound in a first direction about the drum and extended outwardlythrough the first leg portion, a second cable secured to the drumadjacent said first cable and wound in the opposite direction about saiddrum and extended outwardly through the first leg portion.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 in the combination with a capacitor dischargeignition system, an input terminal to said capacitor discharge ignitionsystem adapted to be connected to the output of an alternator, saidleads being connected to said input terminal and to ground means wherebyactuation of said operator grounds the output of the alternator andthereby prevents charging of the capacitor discharge ignition system topositively prevent engine operation.
 9. A steering handle assembly foroutboard motors having a steering bracket with a coupling hub comprisingan elbow-shaped mounting member having a tubular bearing leg adapted tobe rotatively mounted within the hub of the steering bracket, saidmember having an offset tubular coupling leg affixed to said bearingleg, a tubular housing immovably secured to said coupling leg anextending outwardly therefrom, a tubular shaft extending through saidhousing and rotatably affixed within said coupling leg, a throttlecoupler within said mounting member and affixed to the inner end of saidtubular shaft and rotating therewith, said tubular shaft extendingoutwardly from the outer end of said housing, a twist grip having aninner end portion telescoped over the end of the housing and projectingco-axially outwardly therefrom past the outer end of the shaft to definean end switch chamber, means securing the grip to said shaft, a switchunit having terminal means mounted upon the outer end of said shaftwithin said chamber, an actuator secured in overlying, sealingrelationship to the outermost end of said twist grip, said actuatorbeing biased to an outward position and resiliently depressable toactuate said switch unit, a pair of flexible leads connected to saidswitch unit and extending downwardly through said grip and tubular shaftand exiting from the innermost end of such shaft, said leads being bentwithin the mounting member and extending outwardly through the tubularportion for selective connection to the outboard motor electricalsystem.
 10. The handle assembly of claim 9 wherein said throttle unitincludes a rotating drum affixed to the inner end of said shaft, saiddrum having a pair of oppositely wound grooves on the periphery of thedrum, a first throttle control cable wound in a first direction aboutthe drum, a second cable secured to the drum adjacent said first cableand wound in the opposite direction about said drum, said cablesprojecting outwardly through said bearing leg of the mounting member forconnection to the throttle control of the outboard motor.
 11. The handleassembly of claim 9 in the combination with a capacitor dischargeignition system, an input terminal to said capacitor discharge ignitionsystem adapted to be connected to the output of an alternator, saidleads being connected to said input terminal and to ground means wherebyactuation of said actuator grounds the output of the alternator andthereby prevents charging of the capacitor discharge ignition system topositively prevent engine operation.
 12. A steering handle assembly foroutboard motors having a steering bracket with a coupling hub comprisinga mounting member having a tubular portion adapted to be rotativelymounted within the hub of the steering bracket, said member having anoffset coupling leg, a tubular housing immovably secured to said leg andextending outwardly therefrom, a tubular shaft extending through saidhousing and rotatably affixed within said coupling leg, a throttlecoupler affixed to the inner end of said tubular shaft and rotatingtherewith, said tubular shaft extending outwardly from the outer end ofsaid housing, a twist grip having an inner end portion telescoped overthe end of the housing and projecting co-axially outwardly therefrompast the outer end of the shaft to define an end switch chamber, meanssecuring the grip to said shaft, a switch unit mounted within saidchamber, an actuator secured in overlying, sealing relationship to theoutermost end of said twist grip, said actuator being biased to anoutward position and resiliently depressable to actuate said switchunit, leads connected to such switch unit and extending downwardlythrough said grip and tubular shaft and exiting from the innermost endof such shaft and extending outwardly through the tubular portion forselective connection to the outboard motor system, said shaft having anouter end enlarged receptacle spaced from the end of said housing, saidgrip having an annular projection located between the housing and saidreceptacle, said twist grip being axially retained on said housing bysaid shaft for rotation with said shaft, said grip projecting outwardlyof said receptacle and defining said switch chamber.
 13. A steeringhandle assembly for outboard motors having a steering bracket with acoupling hub comprising a mounting member having a tubular portionadapted to be rotatively mounted within the hub of the steering bracket,said member having an offset coupling leg, a tubular housing immovablysecured to said leg and extending outwardly therefrom, a tubular shaftextending through said housing and rotatably affixed within saidcoupling leg, a throttle coupler affixed to the inner end of saidtubular shaft and rotating therewith, said tubular shaft extendingoutwardly from the outer end of said housing, a twist grip having aninner end portion telescoped over the end of the housing and projectingco-axially outwardly therefrom past the outer end of the shaft to definean end switch chamber, means securing the grip to said shaft, a switchunit mounted within said chamber, an actuator secured in overlying,sealing relationship to the outermost end of said twist grip, saidactuator being biased to an outward position and resiliently depressableto actuate said switch unit, leads connected to such switch unit andextending downwardly through said grip and tubular shaft and exitingfrom the innermost end of such shaft and extending outwardly through thetubular portion for selective connection to the outboard motor system,said switch unit includes an insulating block mounted within the switchchamber and the outer end of said tubular shaft, a pair of laterallyspaced terminals secured to said block, said switch actuator including arubber boot member overlying the end of said twist grip, a bridgingcontact secured to the inner surface of the boot and movable intobridging engagement with said terminals to establish an electricalconnection between said switch leads.
 14. The steering handle assemblyof claim 13 wherein said terminals are pyramidal in shape and laterallyspaced to define a generally conical cross-section, and said bridgingcontact is a conically shaped cup element having side wall with an anglecorresponding to that defined by the terminals.